of his
brigade of cavalry, rapidly passed to the front, and charged the
enemy up to the nearest gate.

The cavalry charge was headed by Captain Kearny, of the 1st
Dragoons, having in squadron with his own troop, that of Captain
M'Reynolds of the 3d making the usual escort to general
headquarters; but, being early in the day detached for general
service, was now under Colonel Hamey's orders. The gallant
captain not hearing the _recall_, that had been sounded, dashed
up to the San Antonio gate, sabring in his way all who resisted.
Of the seven officers of the squadron, Kearny lost his left arm;
M'Reynolds and Lieutenant Lorimer Graham were both severely
wounded, and Lieutenant R. S. Ewell, who succeeded to the command
of the escort, had two horses killed under him. Major F. D. Mills
of the 15th Infantry, a volunteer in this charge, was killed at
the gate.

So terminated the series of events which I have but feebly
presented. My thanks were freely poured out on the different
fields, to the abilities and science of generals and other
officers, to the zeal and prowess of all, the rank and file
included. But a reward infinitely higher, the applause of a
grateful country and government, will, I cannot doubt, be
accorded in due time to so much merit of every sort displayed (p. 322)
by this glorious army, which has now overcome all difficulties:
distance, climate, ground, fortifications, numbers.

It has in a single day, in many battles, as often defeated
thirty-two thousand men; made about three thousand prisoners,
including eight generals (two of them ex-presidents), and two
hundred and five other officers; killed or wounded four thousand
of all ranks, besides entire corps dispersed and dissolved;
captured thirty-seven pieces of ordnance, more than trebling our
siege train and field batteries, with a large number of small
arms, a full supply of ammunition of every kind, etc. etc.

These great results have overwhelmed the enemy. Our loss amounts
to one thousand and fifty-three: _killed_, one hundred and
thirty-nine, including sixteen officers; _wounded_, eight hundred
and seventy-six, with sixty officers. The greater number of the
dead and disabled were of the highest worth. Those under
treatment, thanks to our very able medical office